Heritage & Conservation

 


This page is intended to provide a source of information to those who are involved or interested in Heritage and Conservation and provides some links to sites which may be useful for this area of work.

 

Heritage with regard to Buildings, historic places and archaeological sites relates to the way that these are maintained and preserved for future generations.  Fitting into the category of Cultural Heritage it includes buildings and their artefacts. 

 

The term Conservation involves the work that preserves the buildings, sites or any artefact in order to maintain them.  Historic buildings and sites are irreplaceable; which places the responsibility of preservation on the current generation. Fortunately most countries are aware of the importance of their heritage especially as this in many cases provides a significant contribution to tourism, which for many countries forms a major part of their economy.

 

Organisation and Link

Description

World Heritage List

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place (such as a forest, mountain, lake, island, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance. The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 states' parties which are elected by their General Assembly.

World Monuments Fund

World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the leading non-governmental organisation for the protection of cultural heritage. WMF Britain is the largest affiliate office outside WMF’s headquarters in New York. 

English Heritage

English Heritage is the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment.  English Heritage aims to help and encourage people to nurture their historic environment as an integral part of life today and a foundation for tomorrow. It provides information on the past to all, through its public archive, the National Monuments Record, as well as supporting and carrying out research on all aspects of the historic environment.

National Archives

The National Archives is a government department and an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. They incorporate the Office of Public Sector Information and Her Majesty's Stationery Office. They also perform the Historical Manuscripts Commission's functions in relation to private records. As the government's national archive for England, Wales and the United Kingdom, they hold over 1,000 years of the nation's records.

 

The Heritage Gateway

The Heritage Gateway is a source that allows searches over 50 resources, including:            

  • Over 50% of local English Historic Environment Records 
  • The National Heritage List for England (including listed buildings)
  • 8 other national resources, including Images of England

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)

The IHBC is the principal professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment specialists working in the United Kingdom.  

 Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)

The SPAB will advice, educate and campaign in respect to the protection of Ancient Buildings. No listed building may be demolished in England and Wales without SPAB being notified.

 The Ancient Monuments Society

The Ancient Monuments Society was founded in 1924 'for the study and conservation of ancient monuments, historic buildings and fine old craftsmanship'. 

 

The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain

The Society exists to encourage an interest in the history of architecture, to provide opportunities for the exchange and discussion of ideas related to this subject and to publish, in its journal, Architectural History, significant source material and the results of original research.

 

The British Archaeological Association

The British Archaeological Association is for those interested in archaeology, art and architectural history and related disciplines.

 

              All  Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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